Mangalore: Grace Pinto Conferred 'Pingara Rajyotsava' Award
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
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Mangalore, Nov 11: "I can, I will and I must be a winner. I learned these words from my school. The teacher told me not to come back with empty hands. A total of 7 lac students have learned in my school so far. I have given them the same message during the farewell," said Grace Pinto, managing director of Ryan International Schools.
Speaking after receiving Pingara Rajyotsav Award 2008' at Town Hall, here on Tuesday November 11 evening, she said, "We are not Tatas or Birlas. But we have more assets than them. They are our kids," she added.
She always felt glad to spend time with the children. Deeply inspired by Blessed Mother Theresa, she is caring for 427 under privileged children who were picked from the gutters, footpaths and dustbins. Along with them, there are 329 blind children who are also being adopted by her, she informed.
Wherever she goes, she finds Mangaloreans working in various capacities. She is proud to be a Mangalorean. All the Mangaloreans should feel proud about their native, she called upon.
Presenting the award, Sr Jyothi, superior general of Bethany congregation, said that Grace Pinto had studied in Kannada medium schools. "She has been successful in opening more than 100 schools in many countries and 15 states in India. She has set a persona worthy to be followed by all the Kannadigas to excel. All the ladies should take leadership in the society like Grace Pinto," Sr Jyothi advised.
Sri Esha Vithal Swamiji of Kemar Sandipani Math said that educationist Grace Pinto rightly deserved the Pingara Rajyotsav Award 2008 for her significant contributions to education sphere of the country. The educationists should work towards building the nation through imparting quality education to the children, he advised.
Mulki-Moodbidri MLA Abhayachandra Jain was the chief guest of the occasion. District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura presided over the function.
Raymond D’Cunha, editor of Pingara Kannada weekly welcomed the gathering. George Castelino Nakre compered the programme.
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